Fun in the Sun

By Brianne Harrison

It’s about this time of year that our winter-weary minds start to conjure up images of warm, sandy beaches and drinks with umbrellas in them. Many of us, unable to help ourselves, head to Expedia to start researching flights south and eagerly begin planning a tropical vacation in the months to come.

New Jersey animal lovers have a unique opportunity to kill two birds with one stone—plan a fabulous Caribbean vacation while also helping animals in need, thanks to the Jersey Shore Animal Center’s annual benefit cruise.

For seven nights from November 6-13, Norwegian’s brand new ship Epic will hop from Miami to St. Marten, St. Thomas, and Nassau in the Bahamas. Passengers can relax, enjoy the good food and shipboard fun, soak up some sun, and know the whole time they’re helping to support JSAC’s homeless animals. What could be better?

Prices are $762-$1072 per person, double occupancy. Airfare and transfers in Miami are not included. A $25 deposit per person is required to reserve an inside or balcony cabin, and a $300 deposit per person is required to reserve outside cabins. Deposits are due March 15, so start making your plans! Final payments are due July 31. For more information and booking, call Barbara at 732.262.8636 or Jaime at 732.920.1600 ext. 208.

Even Without Snow, Stratton, VT is the Place to Go

By Millicent K. Brody

While the traffic inched its way toward the Jersey shore, we chuckled as we cruised to the village of Stratton, Vermont. Once there, I was totally mesmerized.

Stratton is, essentially, a bit of Switzerland a mere five hours from my Westfield doorstep. Located in the heart of the Green Mountains of Vermont, Stratton is ready to provide whatever Vermont has to offer.

From Thanksgiving to Easter, the area is perfect for skiing. If you’re more of a fan of warm-weather pursuits, head up there during the summer months for golf, tennis, swimming, hiking, canoeing, biking, kayaking, or even a game of paintball. For golf and tennis enthusiasts who want to take their game to the next level, there’s Stratton’s renowned Golf University or the Cliff Drysdale Tennis School. And for those of us non-sporting types, there are plenty of shops to peruse, local theatrical productions to check out, and, of course, pastoral landscapes wherever you turn.

A favorite summer pastime is a gondola ride to Stratton’s summit, then a climb to the top of the fire tower for 360 degree views of the White and Green Mountains, the Berkshires, and the Adirondacks. And while you may not be up to hiking all 270 miles of the Long Trail, (the oldest long-distance hiking trail in the United States), you are welcome to join other hikers and explore the spine of the Green Mountains.

Lucky for us, friends have been visiting the area for more than twelve years, so we were in good hands from the moment we arrived.

Cynthia Knowles, a local rental manager, was able to book a two bedroom/two bath condo replete with lovely furnishings, and a delightful deck for two weeks in August. However, I’ve subsequently learned that for as little as $69 per night, you can stay at the Inn at Stratton Mountain and walk to nearly everything the resort has to offer. You can also create your own home-away-from home at the Long Trail House where premium one-bedroom accommodations, including a kitchen, deck, outdoor pool, and hot tub, start at $130 per night. And if you want to spread out in style, three-bedroom condos with chef’s kitchens at the Hearthstone Lodge, on the Common, start at $249 per night. There you can soak in the Jacuzzi hot tub, or take in the scenery from your own private deck.

If you visit, you really must take time to enjoy your favorite flavor of ice cream at Silver Springs Scoops, in Manchester. I’ve got to confess, as an ice cream enthusiast, I was a constant consumer.

Not to worry about meals. Restaurants at Stratton Mountain Village welcome families and are priced to suit your budget. Try Mulberry Street Pasta and Pizza, which offers two-for-one pizzas on Wednesday, or Mulligan’s, where lobster specials reign on Monday and prime rib on Sunday. For breakfast, swing by Partridge in a Pantry deli, where folks congregate for bagels. Afterward, you may consider a day trip to the Saratoga Race Track and other exciting local attractions.

Forget that it’s all about snow and winter: Consider Vermont for your next summer getaway.

FYI:

the Inn at Stratton Mountain: Call: 1.800.STRATTON

Visit: stratton.com/summer

For Rental Reservations:

Cynthia Knowles: 802.297.4572

Patty Hernandez: 802.297.4571

No Passport Required

By Judith Garfield

“Why do the wrong people travel, while the right people stay back home?”

According to Noel Coward, who wrote those words for his Broadway show “Sail Away,” I am one of the right people. I always stay home. Been doing it for years. A few family excursions long ago and that’s about it.

It occurs to me that people who like to cook are people who like to travel. They tend to be open to experimentation, with excellent planning skills. This would not describe me. For someone who has trouble following recipes, itineraries are out of the question. I didn’t even go on a honeymoon.

It has nothing to do with fear of flying. More like fear of crying…babies, or prying, by the armrest hog who tells me his life story and wants to know mine – all before the plane takes off.

Besides, I have come to the realization that most of the world looks like New Jersey. Really, it’s true. Seen one countryside, seen ‘em all. Why endure all the hassle of traveling, when I can just drive around the neighborhood?

Speaking about driving, do you know how dangerous it is to drive in foreign countries, what with steering wheels on the wrong side, no speed limits, and bandits lurking on isolated country roads?

I prefer to risk life and limb at the traffic circles right here at home. According to the New Jersey Dept. of Transportation, there are no set rules for driving into, around, and out of a traffic circle in New Jersey. Who needs the autobahn?

As Noel says:
What explains this mass mania?
To leave Pennsylvania
And clack around like flocks of geese
Demanding dry martinis on the isles of Greece?

My bags aren’t packed and I’m clearly not ready to go. But if you are…Bon Voyage !

Fashion Forward: Sunshine Garb

By Leigh Boriskin

Resort season is in full swing, and what better way to dress yourself for those hot days on the sand, and cool nights on the boat than with a stop at one of Lilly Pulitzer’s shopping meccas. Her clothes are available at the following signature boutiques: Paradise in Summit and Morristown, Palm Place in Manasquan, and Leapin' Lizards in Ridgewood. Also available at department stores throughout the Garden State.

Lounge by the pool in one of Lilly's delicate tunics that are hard to pass up including the Calliope and the Shelby.

Hit up the golf course in a preppy, but whimsical sweater such as the Gloria Striped Crew, or the Nancy Argyle.

For the walk to the beach, shopping around town, or heading out to a tropical feast, step into the comfort and style of a flat sandal, whether it be the Mckim, or the Flutter.